Saturday traffic stop results in drug arrest

A traffic stop Saturday resulted in the arrest of a 58-year-old Ridgecrest man on drug charges.Albert Thompson is charged with transportation of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale and having a false compartment to hold controlled substances.

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By John V. Cianijciani@ridgecrestca.com

Ridgecrest Daily Independent - Ridgecrest, CA

By John V. Cianijciani@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Jan. 23, 2013 at 5:07 PM
Updated Jan 23, 2013 at 5:14 PM

By John V. Cianijciani@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Jan. 23, 2013 at 5:07 PM
Updated Jan 23, 2013 at 5:14 PM

RIDGECREST

According to a Kern County Sheriff’s Department press release, a California Highway Patrol officer initiated a traffic stop on Thompson, who was driving a GMC pickup at the intersection of Third Street and Inyokern Road in Inyokern shortly after 4 p.m.

A Kern County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived on scene to assist and determined Thompson was on probation.

The officer and the deputy conducted a probation search of the vehicle and located approximately 154 grams of suspected methamphetamine and other items related to drug trafficking. The suspected methamphetamine had a street value of approximately $15,000. Thompson was arrested and booked into the Ridgecrest Jail. He is also charged with two infractions.

Arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 23 in Kern County Superior Court Ridgecrest Branch. He is in custody in lieu of $50,152.

Thompson is also on probation in two cases.

He pleaded no contest in 2011 to a single count of transportation of a controlled substance and was sentenced to five years in jail. He also pleaded no contest in 2008 to a single count of transportation of a controlled substance and was sentenced to six years in prison.